Chapter 11: The Half-Blood Princess 

"Stressy Snape: Lucy Snape attacks innocent fans in Gryffindor Quidditch trials yesterday — Read all about it in the Quick Quills newspaper!" A boy wearing a Hufflepuff tie called out to people who walked by on Thursday lunch time, he obviously worked for the Quick Quills. The main article of the Quick Quills newspaper today indicated that Ellen had done as she had said, by doing this humiliating Lucy even further.

"Don't worry about it, we know it's not true," Shona shrugged as the boy selling the Quick Quills newspaper got a crowd of people buying the newspaper. That lunch time Snape had decided to join Lucy, Shona and Dean. 

"I know you would never do anything like that," Snape agreed. "You might have a temper on you but it's not that bad, I know that for a fact." 

"If I'd have seen Ellen I would have protected you," Dean admitted. "I'm so sorry I put my guard down when I was on that broom." 

But Lucy didn't listen to their comments as they walked along. She knew very well it wasn't her fault and having the same reassurance repeated over and over to her was mildly helping, if not at all. Comments didn't change the situation in the slightest, not now that Ellen was making her feel even worse. 

"Hey!" Shona waved a hand in front of her face. "Is Lucky in there?" 

"Lucy is unavaliable right now, please leave a message," Lucy replied miserably as she adjusted the strap on her bag. 

"Well when she's available let her know that this isn't her fault," Dean said timidly. 

"And she should ignore the lies," Snape added. 

After a while Lucy spoke up. "Surely Dumbledore would have stopped this newspaper? Despite what Ellen's told us." 

Shona shrugged. "She gets everything she wants, it doesn't matter what Dumbledore says. However, it would be nice if we could beat Ellen up." 

"That would result in exclusion," Snape narrowed his eyes at Shona but then smiled. "But for once I wouldn't stop you." 

"Really, Snivels — ?" Shona began, then paused. "Hold on two seconds, did you just actually smile in my direction? Was that a grimace? Am I imagining things? Has the world split in two? Am I dreaming?" 

Now it was Snape's turn to be silent. Lucy, Shona and Dean all exchanged glances as they all walked along in silence. However, it was just lucky for Snape that Shona had shut off her mind reading powers for today because right now Snape was re-thinking the situation that had only happened yesterday when Lucy was at Quidditch trials: 

"Severus?" A female voice asked from outside his Quarters. He stood up and answered it and found Jessica standing there. He looked at her strange before speaking. 

"Can I help you, Miss Stone?" Snape replied. 

"Why don't you call me Jessica much?" 

"I find it politer to call people by their surnames."

"What about Lucy?"

"She's my daughter." 

Jessica laughed. "Might I be allowed to come in?" 

Snape stepped aside. "Of course." 

Jessica stepped inside and looked around at the place, it was obvious Snape was taking care of himself now and needed a little less of Jessica's help to keep him alive. She wouldn't say she'd kept him alive in the summer but she did at least help give him the right things to keep himself alive. Even now that he was OK, it was Jessica's job to take care of him as well as Shona and Lucy because she was haed of the Resistance.

"I just came over to ask you about how Dean Cousins is getting on," Jessica said as Snape closed the door behind him. 

"Why do you ask about Mr Cousins?" Snape frowned. 

"I was just wondering if he was taking care of Lucy alright, he really is a lovely man. He is shy but he's a good fighter, that's why I chose him for the job. The other people who had been training could fight really well but wouldn't really be a friend. I wanted to find someone who could be a friend to Lucy as well as a bodyguard." 

"I think you picked the right person." 

"I think I did but you seem very doubtful about him." 

"I'm not..." Snape's voice trailed off. "Like you said, he can fight and is a good friend to my daughter." 

"He hasn't proved his worth to you, that's why you have doubts." 

"Well no — " Snape began but then stopped himself. "Yes." 

"He's proved his worth to Lucy, that's all that matters isn't it?" 

"She does know that I'm still around doesn't she?" 

"Of course, like I'm here for you." 

The room had fallen silent. Snape looked at Jessica and she looked up at him. Snape didn't know what to say, but Jessica was full of comments ready to keep the conversation going. They didn't have conversations like they used to, considering the circumstances in Lucy's third year. 

"I mean it you know, that's why I made the Resistance; to protect you all." 

Snape shook his head. "I-I don't understand." 

"Don't understand what?" 

"Why you switched sides so quickly. There's much more opportunity on Zuc's side and then there's us, why come to this side? L-Lucy she — " 

"Don't doubt your daughter," Jessica ordered sharply before Snape could even begin.

"But we've tried to train her! She's just — " 

"Don't give up on her! The poor girl is going through enough, with press issues and everything else. Her whole world is falling down! Show some support towards her, all she needs is support and confidence." 

Snape's shoulders slumped. "But I've never been the person to do that." 

"Yes you have! You're always there for her, you're always helping her out. You love her and you can't give up on her. I know she doesn't seem like Merlin's descendant but I'm sure she could be if you looked inside of her and found her true self. Just because we are given one identity does not mean we have to keep it forever, we can change ourselves and build a new healthy image." 

"But she needs a mother, that's what she needs. I'd rather Lily be alive than me, she'd be able to give her a whole list of guidance. But me I couldn't even teach her how to tie her shoelaces," Snape looked away from Jessica miserably.

"Severus," Jessica ordered and he turned to her. "If Lucy's mother was alive she'd be looking after Harry, of course she'd love Lucy but you have Lucy. You've got to look after her, she's yours and she loves you with every inch of her heart." 

"Jessica," Snape replied, he stepped closer and Jessica hesitated. "Thank you." He leaned in and for the first time ever they sealed a conversation with the right ending and the right meaning. For the first time they kissed for the right meaning. 

When Snape had snapped out of his daydream they had arrived at the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom. Dean looked very awkward as Lucy and Shona walked in without permission as they always did. However Dean, of course, felt like he needed permission being the polite gentleman he was. 

"Please," Snape gestured to the door as Dean looked at him nervously. "Go in." 

"Oh, thank you!" Dean bowed before walking in. Snape was the last to walk in and he closed the door behind him. If it wasn't for Lucy he wouldn't let anyone into his quarters apart from himself. But he realised company wasn't always a bad thing, even though he'd cut himself off from any social interaction for many years. 

Lucy and Shona were already in deep conversation about something (most probably Ellen and her horrible ways) while Dean had just sat down next to them. However Lucy made him sit in the middle of her and Shona so he wouldn't feel left out in the conversation. Dean was too much of a nice person to be ignored. 

"I'm thirsty," Shona whined as Snape sat down in his favourite armchair. Snape shook his head in retaliation to Shona's comment. 

"You always have to moan about something, McGuire," Snape tutted. "Is there ever a time when you don't moan?" 

Shona looked around awkwardly. "No." But then she frowned. "Could say the same about you though!" 

Lucy stood up before an argument commenced, she didn't want Dean's poor ears to hurt. "Well we might as well cease her moaning." She walked over to the kitchen and poured Shona a glass of water before proceeding to make her way back to the living room. "Here you go." 

"Thanks," Shona took the glass of water and drunk it. "So, Snivels, what's teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts like?" 

"Why does it matter to you?" Snape replied rudely and that was the start of a new argument between them. Dean fiddled with the sleeve of his coat awkwardly as the argument took place; Lucy had warned him about this when they had first met this week. Lucy had tried to prevent a previous argument a few minutes ago but she couldn't be bothered to sort this one out; it was too much hassle. 

Dean watched the argument between Snape and Shona like a tennis match, his eyes darting to and fro between both of them. To an outsider it could be seen as quite amusing but for someone like Dean he was terrified that they were going to tear each other apart. He really was a big fan of the gifted and the last thing he wanted to see were his idols tearing each other apart. 

"Lucy," Dean said without looking at her, instead looking awkwardly at his feet. He waited for a reply but didn't get one until longer than expected. 

"Y-Yes?" Lucy stammered, Dean faced her and saw she had her hand against her forehead. At first Dean thought she was just annoyed at Snape and Shona arguing but then realised that she was clutching her forehead in pain. 

"Hey, what's wrong?" 

"My headaches back..." 

Dean looked at her worriedly before looking at the arguing Snape and Shona. He had no idea what to do, he was to polite to shout at the gifted...but if it meant putting Lucy out of her misery he would do anything. Anything at all to help save the person he had promised to look after. 

"Why do you have to pick a fight about everything?!" Snape demanded. 

"It's your fault I pick fights because you're always so mean!" Shona retaliated. 

"I AM NOT — " 

"HEY!" Dean yelled and Shona and Snape silenced in an instant. Dean felt big for a moment but then soon shrunk back to size, he felt like laughing at his achievement but thought better of it considering what was going on. 

"What is it, Mr Cousins?" Snape asked. 

"Lucy's headaches are back," Dean said. 

"Again?" Shona asked. 

"Do you think Zuc's onto her?" Snape wondered. 

"I don't think he is." 

They all turned to face Lucy while she sat there holding her forehead. She was undoubtedly in pain but instead she had a forced smile on her face to try and fool them, it was only a headache right? 

"What do you mean?" Shona frowned. "It's obviously him who wants to harm you." 

"It isn't him, we all get headaches don't we? I doubt he's got anything to do with a headache. He hasn't forced any visions into my head for me to see recently, I think he's waiting for the right time." 

"But he could be causing the headaches," Snape suggested. "Do you think it's normal to get this many headaches over a short space of time?" 

"Maybe it's just stress, people saying bad things about me, nothing much to worry about," Lucy shrugged but this reminded Snape of what happened yesterday when Jessica had visited him. Snape turned to Shona and Dean. 

"If you could both leave for a few minutes I would be grateful." 

"As long as you stop being moody," Shona rolled her eyes before leaving with Dean. 

Snape sat down next to Lucy. "Lucy, what's wrong?" 

Lucy looked at him strange; the obvious had already been stated. "I have a headache." 

"Apart from that." 

"Why are you asking me this?" 

Snape looked around, he had to find someway to make this conversation drive away from the fact Jessica had given him this advice. But he'd already lied too much. "Jessica said I need to support you more." 

Lucy looked down but didn't say anything. She never asked for more support, she didn't want to be fussed over now. "You don't need to support me more, you're doing fine." 

"I do though, it feels like Zuc split our personal connection up when he took you to the Medieval Islands and trapped you there." 

"We didn't lose anything you know, just things had changed. Nothing can stay the same forever, right?" 

"But, I think that — " Snape began but then let the sentence drift off before starting a new one. "Lucy, don't think bad of me for saying this but I don't think you're trained enough to defeat Zuc." 

"Is that what's bothering you?" 

"Yes, I'm just so worried for you." 

"We can train me up, can't we?" Lucy smiled, not bothered about what her dad had said. Instead she was thinking about the time last year when she took part in her work experience and the old Minister for Magic, Cornelius Fudge, had showed her that room with all the weapons for training. She wondered if she could still get there? 

"But, Lucy — " 

"But Lucy nothing. I'm sure Merlin was worried when he fought Vasil, right? I'm sure he had doubts too. Not to sound big headed but I could become great like him too, there's a lot of opportunities out there and I've just got to look for them."

"I know but please if you ever need anything always ask me." 

"I do ask you if I need anything!" Lucy smiled. "I always do!" 

"Very well, now why don't you go and catch up with McGuire and Mr Cousins? Lessons will begin in a minute." 

*      *      * 

When all lessons had finished later that day, Shona made her way up to the Gryffindor common room while Lucy and Dean had gone to Snape's quarters. Shona was still taking Ben's advice with studying despite her argument with Snape earlier. Just because she still bullied Snape didn't mean she didn't have to study. 

Shona had been quite tempted to revisit the library in hopes that she would see Ben again but then she remembered Lucy was making her decision on who was going to make it onto the Quidditch team today. She had forgotten to ask Lucy about it earlier and it was just as well because it was pointless continuing to pester Lucy. 

When Shona made it into the common room after uttering the password to the portrait (like always, it was something silly) she made her way over to the noticeboard to where a group of Gryffindors were standing. They looked up briefly at her, became a little starstruck that Sebastian's descendant had come to join them then continued staring at the noticeboard. 

Luckily for Shona she could use her height as an advantage while all the other children had to crane their necks to see the notice on the noticeboard written in Lucy's handwriting. Shona squinted and then tried to make out what the letter said: 

To whom this may concern (also known as everyone who joined me for Quidditch trials yesterday) 

I have made my decision as to who will make it onto the Quidditch team for Gryffindor this year. Thank you all for participating and do not feel let down if you didn't make it to the team this year, there is always next year to try out. 

Below you will find a list of names which will consist of your name or one of your peers' names. Good luck to those who trialed yesterday: 

SEEKER

Lucy Snape (Captain) 

KEEPER 

Ron Weasley 

BEATERS 

Jimmy Peakes 

Ritchie Coote 

CHASERS

Katie Bell 

Ginny Weasley 

Shona McGuire 

SUBSTITUTES 

Cormac McLaggen (Keeper) 

Dean Thomas (Chaser) 

Harry Potter (Seeker) 

Shona gasped aloud as she read that she had made it onto the Gryffindor Quidditch team. She was a Chaser! She would be part of Gryffindor's Quidditch games this year! People would cheer for her! She may not be the main event but people would still cheer for her! 

Shona couldn't believe her eyes and as the crowd in front of her clapped, she immediately bowed in her unique way (also known as doing something funny). Before Shona sat down to do some studying in front of the fireplace she glanced at the list once more time and smiled. She might be Lucy's friend and all but Lucy had been very strict with the team this year and had not taken her friends into account, only skill. 

'Good things come to those who wait,' Shona thought with a smile as she sat down in front of the fireplace and opened her textbooks and studied. 

Over in Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom, it was evident that Lucy missed Snape's quarters in the dungeons because she had her chemistry set out and was measuring ingredients for some kind of Potion she had decided to make. 

"And you thought I was nostalgic," Snape laughed from over at his desk while he marked his students' work. Lucy rolled her eyes as she continued to make her Potion. 

"'Oh Lucy come to me if you need any support, any at all!'" Lucy mimicked Snape from earlier making Dean laugh as he flicked through Snape's Daily Prophet which Snape himself had let Dean borrow. Dean thought he had been accepted as one of them now because Snape had let him borrow the Daily Prophet...now that was serious. 

Suddenly there was a knock on Snape's door, Lucy and Dean both looked up at the door but it didn't open. The person outside was obviously waiting for permission. Lucy and Dean exchanged glasses as Snape continued marking work. 

After a while Snape spoke. "Enter." 

The door opened and there stood Johnny, a stupid grin smacked on his face just like Alex, Chris and Tyler behind him. Lucy rolled her eyes and got back to making her Potion, she didn't have any time for those idiots. 

"What is it you want?" Snape questioned, still not looking up from marking. 

"Hey, Sir, just come in to hand in some homework from Monday's lesson," Johnny said confidently as he strutted forward and then placed a screwed up and torn piece of parchment with messy handwriting on onto Snape's desk.

"Might I ask you something?" Snape finally looked up from his marking. Johnny nodded. "Why have you handed this homework into me now when you could have done in tomorrow's lesson, or even better when you were asked?" 

"I — " Johnny began but was rudely interrupted by Snape. 

"And was it really necessary to bring your whole group of friends with you? Or are you too scared to venture up to the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom alone?" 

Alex, Chris and Tyler began laughing but Johnny wasn't insulted by Snape's comments because he had enough sarcastic comments of his own to use. "Actually, I didn't bring all my friends." 

"Oh I do apologise, let me rephrase that," Snape placed down his quill. "Was it really necessary to bring all of your friends excluding the idiot from America? Or are you too scared to make your way up to the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom alone?" 

"If you're going to get specific he's from Los Angeles, California which is in America," Johnny grinned. 

"Oh, well you are good at Geography aren't you? I underestimated you, perhaps now you'll be able to tell your right from your left?" 

While this exchanging of words was taking place between Johnny and Snape. Alex had made his way over to Lucy and sat down next to Dean, terrifying him a little bit. "Hey, Lucky," he winked. 

"Please go away," Lucy frowned as she measured some more ingredients out. "I am rather busy right now." 

"I thought you liked it when people called you Lucky? It's your nickname isn't it?" 

"Yes but as you can see I am very busy right now," Lucy gestured to her Potion she was making. In the next moment Snape was yelling and Johnny had darted out of the classroom. Lucy looked up and saw Snape was just about to leave but Lucy needed to know something desperately about her Potion. 

"Dad, have you got a spare Potions book in your draw?" Lucy called. 

"Yes, I have second draw on the left in my desk!" Snape yelled before he exited the classroom, Alex, Chris and Tyler following. 

Lucy stood up and walked towards Snape's desk, she opened the second draw on the left and found it was not locked. She pulled it open and searched around before she found a book quite like hers, she took it and then closed the draw. She walked back to her desk and opened up the book to the first page. 

"Is that the book you were looking for?" Dean asked as Lucy's face turned into a frown. What it said on the first page was quite shocking to her. 

Lucy read the first page over and over before nodding once and getting on with her Potion, she turned to the correct page and tried to forget the words that she had seen on the first page. Surely this had a connection with Harry's book. 

Otherwise: 'This book belongs to The Half-Blood Princess' would be a scary coincidence. 

Author's note: 

Hello, all :) 

If you are continuing to read the Lucy Snape series; thank you so much! It really means a lot to me and Shona, my co-writer. However before you continue this series I'd just like to apologise for the EXTREMELY obvious plot line we have just discovered. I know this can be frustrating but I thought we needed a little something else for the book to fill it out a little more. But I can promise you there will be a few surprises to come, I will try my best not to fail you. 

Thank you all for being so patient with my slow updates. 

— TheHalfBloodPrincess